Put that op on hold if the surgeon’s young or old

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal today, patients looking for the safest care should hope to be operated on by a surgeon aged between 35 and 50. 
The findings suggest that people undergoing surgery are not just at a higher risk of complications with inexperienced surgeons, but also with those who have been in practice for over 20 years.
The Royal College of Surgeons puts the phenomenon down to evolving surgical techniques and technology, saying that older surgeons need to "constantly reinvent themselves" to keep up with advances and changes.
A research team from the University of Lyon in France studied 3,574 operations to remove a patient's thyroid gland by 28 surgeons. Two major complications were measured 48 hours after surgery and again at least six months after surgery.
Professor Mike Larvin, consultant general surgeon and director of education at the Royal College of Surgeons, says: "This study shows the importance of lifelong learning - something the RCS supports by running courses for trainees and consultants.
"We have also set out professional development for medical revalidation, a system of five-year checks on competence, which starts at the end of this year."
Age Scotland spokesman Lindsay Scott says: "The need for continued professioal development and ongoing re-evaluation exists in employment right across the spectrum, so this seems like a bit of a no-brainer to us.
"We are however pleased to note that the RCS is moving on this and will soon have a proper system of competency checks in place.
"This will undoubtedly give greater peace of mind to anyone facing surgery, whether it's to be performed by a fresh-faced relative novice or a grizzled veteran of the operating theatre."
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